katar your opinion

Radu Transylvanicus · 4th February 2006, 08:16 PM

This KATTAR (or JAMADHAR as preffered by some) ,, the tooth of the Death God" is of a most classical form, the Rajput type. Is is a plain but functional, an honest battle ready piece (piercing was the main purpose of this dagger, to open or split chainmail and organs) with minimal traces of decoration, no koftgari. The types with bulbous crossbars are normally associated with the Rajasthan and Jaipur and most surviving examples from the museums are from 18th century but yours is so clean I hardly believe it to be that old. Many kattars have European blades, IMHO yours is not one of them, which makes it even a step further more authentic. The hardships of determining the age on Oriental and Hindu especially have long been subjects of vivid debate and many factors enter in equation. Now you have to consider that variations on Indian weaponry have changed very little in five hundred years from the times of Babur, or even more. Also a factor to consider is patina but weather in India is capricious and it could vary from dry desert climate to wet tropical and it makes it hard to just associate the ruggedness produced on a blade compared to a European four season climate for instance.
When you get a chance please post a close-up of any decorations or marks.
Best regards,
Radu

Some bibliography:
Indian arms and armour vol. II - Dr. G.N. PANT (thank you Mare Rosu)
Arms and Armour - traditional weapons of India - E. Paul JAIWANT
Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour - Lord Eggerton of Tatton
And others...

4th February 2006, 08:16 PM	#5
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	Kattar This KATTAR (or JAMADHAR as preffered by some) ,, the tooth of the Death God" is of a most classical form, the Rajput type. Is is a plain but functional, an honest battle ready piece (piercing was the main purpose of this dagger, to open or split chainmail and organs) with minimal traces of decoration, no koftgari. The types with bulbous crossbars are normally associated with the Rajasthan and Jaipur and most surviving examples from the museums are from 18th century but yours is so clean I hardly believe it to be that old. Many kattars have European blades, IMHO yours is not one of them, which makes it even a step further more authentic. The hardships of determining the age on Oriental and Hindu especially have long been subjects of vivid debate and many factors enter in equation. Now you have to consider that variations on Indian weaponry have changed very little in five hundred years from the times of Babur, or even more. Also a factor to consider is patina but weather in India is capricious and it could vary from dry desert climate to wet tropical and it makes it hard to just associate the ruggedness produced on a blade compared to a European four season climate for instance. When you get a chance please post a close-up of any decorations or marks. Best regards, Radu Some bibliography: Indian arms and armour vol. II - Dr. G.N. PANT (thank you Mare Rosu) Arms and Armour - traditional weapons of India - E. Paul JAIWANT Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour - Lord Eggerton of Tatton And others... Last edited by Radu Transylvanicus; 5th February 2006 at 04:46 AM.